Cap & Gowns
It is critical that you bring your cap, gown, hood and tassel with you to the Commencement Ceremony. We will not have extra caps and gowns available.
Tassels
Undergraduate students should wear tassels on the right side of their caps when processing to the seating area. Tassels should be moved to the left side when the President confers your degree (see the Conferral of Degrees section).
Dress
Graduates and guests are advised to dress appropriately, taking into account this is a dignified ceremony.
Arrival Time
Students and guests should not arrive more than 45 minutes prior to the ceremony and may stay 45 minutes after for pictures, etc. We ask you to adhere to these timeframes so that we may stay on schedule. Students arriving late may not be accommodated in the line of march.
Assembly Area
Report to the student assembly area on campus in Boylan Gym in the OceanFirst Bank Center. Signage and university personnel will be available to assist you.
Line of March
You will receive an email from the Registrar’s Office (registrar@monmouth.edu) approximately one day prior to your ceremony, which will confirm your ceremony date/time, diploma name, school, and your line of march number. You will receive a hard copy of your line of march card when you arrive at lineup. If you don’t receive this email and your ceremony is less than 24 hours away, you may email registrar@monmouth.edu.
Processional
You will be instructed to line up according to the number you received on your line of march card. You will be assigned to either the right or left side of the processional. You may not change lines. Staff will be there to assist you. The student processional will begin a few minutes prior to the ceremony start time.
Conferral of Degrees
The dean of the school will ask candidates to come forward and be recognized (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, etc.). The President will then say, “…I confer upon you the degree you have earned, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto.”
At that time:
- Students will move their tassels from the right side of their caps to the left side.
- Candidates will come to the stage. The announcer will read your name and you will then process to the stage where you will receive your diploma case.
- Walk across the stage. Staff will direct you.
- Students are reminded that they must return to the seating area after leaving the stage. Out of respect for all students being recognized, participants are required to remain until the faculty and platform party have recessed from the arena.
Guests
Guests are requested to take their seats at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony. Each student will receive six (6) guest tickets. Guest seating is not assigned. No one will be admitted to the seating area without a ticket. Tickets are not transferable between ceremonies.
ADA Seating/Parking
ADA seating is available for guests. One guest may sit with your guest requiring ADA seating. When your guest arrives, they need to let a volunteer at the entrance know that someone in their party requires ADA seating and a volunteer will assist them. Handicap parking is available but is also limited. If needed, your guest(s) may be dropped off close to the entrance to the OceanFirst Bank Center and then you may park. ADA parking is limited.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed home approximately 3-4 weeks after your graduation date (May 15, 2025). Diploma cases will be distributed to you as you walk across the stage. Please note: All financial obligations to the University must be satisfied prior to diplomas being released. This includes all parking tickets and fines; library materials and late fees; equipment; and tuition and fee payments.
Professional Photography
GradImages, a professional photography service, will be at Commencement to photograph graduates as they are recognized on stage. Proofs will be emailed to your student email address. Contact information for GradImages Customer Service Department is 800-261-2576 or email them at ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.
Reminders
- State and local laws prohibit the public consumption of alcohol. Do not bring any alcoholic beverages with you for consumption on the Monmouth University campus.
- Please turn off all cell phones for the duration of the Ceremony. Air horns, noise-making devices and any objects that would detract from the formality of the day are prohibited.
- Balloons are not permitted in the arena.